Portfolio Course Information

To sign up for Drama 2600, 2611, 3600, 3611, 4600, or 4611 for work on a Drama Department production, pick up a Portfolio Course Credit packet with course information and paperwork is available at the Faculty of Fine Arts Administrative Office W811.

The packet includes:

All projects require a Faculty Supervisor, who will determine the requirements of each individual project and the student’s grade upon project completion. The Faculty Supervisor should be a faculty member who teaches in the project area.

Once the Faculty Supervisor signs the Application and Approval for Portfolio Course Credit forms to initiate supervision, the student is committed to paying the tuition fees for the course as well as having the course and the grade received recorded on his/her transcript.

Application and Approval for Portfolio Course Credit forms must be completed and signed by the student and faculty supervisor and be returned to the portfolio coordinator no more than ten days from the date the student is assigned to the production.

Drama 2600 requires creative work on one mainstage; one Theatre Xtra production; or two of mainstage productions, Theatre Xtra productions, or directing projects. Drama 2611 requires two different technical positions on mainstage productions, Theatre Xtra productions, or directing projects. Students must be involved in each of the two Drama 2611 projects in a different capacity/position. Students are registered for the course the semester of the second project.

Drama 2600 and 2611 are graded as pass or fail. A student must pass both projects in order to receive credit for the course. Drama 2611 students will often work directly under a technical area shop head, who will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the student's coursework.

Drama 3600 and 4600 require creative work, such as theatre creator, director, or actor, on one mainstage or Theatre Xtra production. Drama 3611 and 4611 require one production as a designer, one production as a stage manager, or a full-term position as a technician.

Drama 3600, 3611, 4600, and 4611 are assigned letter grades according to the Department of Drama grading scale. Drama 3611 and 4611 students will often work directly under a technical area shop head, who will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the student's coursework.

Portfolio Course Information, Policies, and Procedures

Only approved productions of the Department of Drama may be used for portfolio course credit.

Assignment of performance roles are based on an audition and only applicable for credit in Drama 2600, 3600, and 4600.

Assignment of other creative roles are based on show needs and approval by appropriate faculty member.

Assignment of design and technical roles are requested by the student by contacting the Portfolio Course Coordinator and approved by the appropriate faculty member, production initiator, director, technical area head, and/or shop manager.

All portfolio course forms must be completed and signed by the student and faculty supervisor and be returned to the Portfolio Course Coordinator no more than 10 days from the student’s assignment to the production/project.

Upon receiving notification from the Portfolio Course Coordinator, Fine Arts Student Program Services will register the student in the appropriate portfolio course. Registration will usually occur during the term the production or assignment takes place, but in cases where the notification is received after November 15 in a fall term or March 15 in a spring term, the course will be registered in the following term. Registration for Drama 2600 and 2611 takes place after approval of and during the term of the second production or assignment.

Portfolio course hours usually increase with portfolio course level, however, portfolio course hours are variable based on the role or position assigned and needs of the production or project. Portfolio course grades are based on successful completion of the project and not associated with any number of completed hours.

Students may be required to work or rehearse during holidays and reading breaks. It is the student’s responsibility to attain the production and rehearsal schedules and ensure that he or she is able to fulfill all of the responsibilities of the position including work or rehearsal during holidays and reading breaks. Refusal or inability to meet the demands of the project will result in removal from the position and/or a failing course grade.

Student must be involved in each of the two projects required for Drama 2611 in a different capacity/position.

Student must have completed fifteen courses prior to enrolling in level II and III portfolio courses including Drama 3600, 3611, 4600, and 4611.

All portfolio course students MUST write a 1 page, approximately 500 word count, reflection of the experience and turn it in to the Portfolio Course Coordinator no later than one week after the completion of their production or project. All level II and III portfolio course students MUST provide a weekly progress update to their Faculty Supervisor. Both the written reflection and weekly updates will be factored into the final portfolio course grade. Failure to complete ANY of the listed requirements may result in a failing grade for the course.

Within ten days following submission of the course reflection, the faculty supervisor will assign the course grade. In most cases, grades are available to view in three to four weeks.

In the event that the student is being directly supervised by a person who is not a faculty member (i.e. guest director, guest designer, etc.), the Department Chair will be responsible for assigning the final grade based on recommendations from the non-faculty supervisor.

Final course grade determined in accordance with the grading scale adopted by the Department of Drama. Evaluation based on Preparation (25%), Commitment (25%), and Creative Achievement (50%). Drama 2600 and 2611 are Pass/Fail.